Quantifying the influence of waste water treatment on the release of microplastics to the environment

微塑料污染世界各地的水生栖息地，影响各种生物，包括商业上重要的物种，并可能促进细菌病原体的传播。海洋战略框架和英国政府的25年环境计划致力于减少环境微塑料污染和积累，废水被确定为颗粒运输和释放的关键途径。然而，人们对不同的处理设施如何影响微塑料的保留或去除知之甚少，也没有标准的评估方法。这个学生的目标是开发量化微塑料的方法，确定进入/离开处理设施的类型和数量，并检查与释放的微塑料相关的细菌。该学生将加入国际海洋垃圾研究小组，该小组处于微塑料研究的前沿，目前的项目是研究微塑料污染和海洋垃圾的社会科学。我们的研究直接为英国和国际立法做出了贡献，在REF2014中，我们85%的地球系统和环境科学研究被评为世界领先或国际优秀。学生将直接受益于我们的工业/项目合作伙伴：UKWIR，他们将提供在当地水务公司实习的机会（约3个月），以及相关的行业培训。EA和DEFRA将提供技术投入，并有机会了解法规和政策。

Microplastics contaminate aquatic habitats worldwide, impacting on various organisms including commercially important species, and may contribute to the dissemination of bacterial pathogens. The Marine Strategy Framework and the UK Government's 25 Year Environmental Plan commits to minimising environmental microplastic contamination and accumulation, with wastewater identified as a key route in the transport and release of particles. However, little is known about how different treatment facilities influence retention or removal of microplastics, and no standard methods exist for their assessment. This studentship aims to develop methods for the quantification of microplastics, determine types and quantities entering/leaving treatment facilities, and examine the bacteria associated with those released. The student will join the International Marine Litter Research Unit, at the forefront of microplastic research, with current projects investigating aspects of microplastic contamination and the Social Science of marine litter. Our research has directly contributed to both UK and international legislation, and in REF2014, 85% of our research under in Earth Systems and Environmental Science was classified as world leading or internationally excellent. The student will directly benefit from our industrial/project partners: UKWIR who will provide a placement opportunity with a local water company (~3 months), and relevant industry training. EA and DEFRA who will offer technical input and the opportunity to gain understanding of regulation and policy.